Introduction to Tinctures

Tincture Introduction

• Tinctures are alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solutions prepared from plant materials or chemical substances.
• They contain alcohol in amounts ranging from 15% to 80%.
• Alcohol acts as a preservative against microbial growth and keeps the alcohol-soluble extractives in solution.
• Other solvents, such as glycerin, may be used in tincture preparation.
• Tinctures must be stored in tightly stoppered containers, protected from excessive temperatures, and light.

Tincture Disadvantages

• Unpleasant taste.
• Physicians often prefer single-drug formulations over plant-based preparations.
• High alcohol content.

Topical Tincture Examples

• Green Soap Tincture: It's a blend of coconut and vegetable oil-based soap, 30% ethyl alcohol, glycerin, and 2% lavender oil.

  • Used for cleaning skin after tattoos and piercings.
  • Suitable for cleaning surgical instruments.
  • Its oily base soothes the skin and keeps it soft.
  • Glycerin helps restore moisture and minimize alcohol's drying effects.
  • The name comes from its natural yellowy-green color.

• Compound Benzoin Tincture (CTB): Applied topically to skin before adhesive bandages.

  • Protects skin from allergy to adhesives and enhances tape adhesion.
  • Often sprayed onto skin before casting, minimizing itching and protecting skin under the cast.
  • Used as an oral mucosal protectant.

• Iodine Tincture: An antiseptic solution also known as weak iodine solution.

  • Usually 2-7% elemental iodine dissolved in an ethanol and water mixture with potassium iodide or sodium iodide.

Tincture Variations

Official tinctures vary in:

• Method of preparation.
• Strength of their active constituent.
• Alcohol content.
• Intended use in medicine or pharmacy.

Old Method of Tincture Preparation

• Requires at least 40% alcohol for extraction for a one-year shelf life.
• Use dark colored bottles for storage.
• Dried and powdered plant material is placed in the bottle.
• Standard preparation uses a 4:1 ratio of liquid to herb (4 parts liquid and 1 part herb).
• Add ½ cup of water and ½ cup of 180 proof alcohol.
• Soak for four weeks in a cool, dark place.
• Filter the solution after soaking.
• Transfer the filtered solution to a suitable container.

Method of Tincture Preparation

• By simple solution: Tinctures prepared from chemical substances. Examples: Iodine, thimerosal, and nitromersol tinctures.
• By extraction: Using maceration or percolation. Example: Compound cardamom tincture.

Maceration Process

• “Maceration” means "softening."
• This is the simplest method for crude drug extraction.
• Used for tinctures, extracts, and concentrated infusions.
• Examples: Compound benzoin tinctures, sweet orange peel tincture, and tolu balsam tincture.

Percolation Process

• Examples: Belladonna tincture and vanilla tincture.

Strength of Active Components

• No set strength for compound tinctures.
• Strength varies with each preparation.
• The general amount of crude drugs used per 100mL of tincture is:
  • Potent drugs: Belladonna leaf – 10 g.
  • Non-potent drugs: Tolu Balsam – 20 g.
  • Undried fresh fruit peel: Sweet orange peel – 50 g.

Pharmaceutical Uses

• Flavoring: Vanilla, sweet orange peel, Tolu balsam tinctures.
• Medicinal: Iodine Tincture, Thimerosal, Nitromersol Tinctures.
• Anti-infective: Compound Benzoin Tincture.
• Topical protectant: Green soap Tincture.
• Topical detergent: Belladonna Tincture (anticholinergic).

Evaluation of Tincture

• Relative density (or) specific gravity.
• Total solid residue.
• pH.
• Moisture content.